Dharamshala: The largest pro-independence organisation in exile, the Tibetan Youth Congress (TYC), vowed to ‘respect and continue to recognise and retain the name of Tibetan Government-in-exile’ at a press conference, today.

TYC’s statement has brought to the fore, the simmering angst of a large section of the society which has been highly critical of the 14th Tibetan Parliament-in-exile’s decision to change the name of the Tibetan Government-in-exile to Organisation of the Tibetan People. The move by the Parliament in its three-day special session last month had overturned the unanimous decision of the Second Tibetan National General Meeting to retain the earlier name.

TYC President Tsewang Rigzin expressed disappointment at the Parliament’s rejection of earlier appeals that TYC had made against hasty decisions, calling the conduct of the house while amending fundamental changes to the Tibetan Charter ‘within a short period of time’ as ‘haphazard’.

Urging Tibetans to ‘have confidence in our government’, TYC said that it will shoulder the collective responsibilities of ensuring Tibetan unity ‘without violating the principles and processes of democracy’.

Hailing the ‘preservation of the historical legacy of the Tibetan government’ as extremely important for safeguarding the cause of Tibetan independence, TYC pledged to preserve a copy of the Tibetan Charter (prior to last month’s amendments) along with the earlier national emblem, national anthem, and nation flag.

“When Tibet becomes independent, these symbolic items will be returned and handed over to its rightful owner – the Tibetan nation and its people”, Rigzin said.